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New Yorkers will have an extra year to fly with old driver's license

Updated on October 14, 2015 at 5:58 PMPosted on October 14, 2015 at 5:38 PM

TSA Pre at Hancock International Airport

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted New York a one-year extension to comply with new federal rules for secure driver's licenses. If the extension had not been granted, Transportation Security Administration agents like those pictured at Syracuse Hancock International Airport could have denied airline travel to New Yorkers without enhanced driver's licenses or passports. (Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted New York state a one-year extension to comply with a federal law to issue new, secure driver's licenses that will be required for airline travel.

Without the extension, up to 10 million New Yorkers could have been prevented from taking domestic airline flights next year because their licenses don't comply with the federal Real ID Act.

New York is among four states and one territory that failed to comply with the federal law requiring states to issue more secure IDs in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

State officials said Wednesday they reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will allow any New Yorker with a standard driver license or non-driver ID to board an airplane or enter a federal building without a second form of acceptable identification.

"This extension guarantees that New Yorkers will be able to use their driver licenses or ID cards as they did before," DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan said in a statement.

She added, "DMV continues to work with DHS to ensure all New York State licenses and non-driver IDs remain acceptable for REAL ID purposes."

The uncertainty over New York's compliance prompted AAA of Western and Central New York last month to begin advising members to upgrade to an enhanced driver's license if they plan to fly next year.

The DMV said Wednesday it will continue to offer state residents the option of an enhanced driver license, which costs about $30 more than a standard license. The enhanced licenses are honored for Real ID purposes nationwide, including U.S. travelers who are allowed to enter Canada or Mexico without a passport.